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![]() (Caption): The Samurai of Japan lived by the Bushido Code THE VIRTUES OF
BUSHIDO JOHN BARRASS:
Bushido
refers to the
strict moral code
principals that
developed among the samurai (military/war) class of "There were many forces acting on a Samurai since they were at the top of Japanese society, they were required to live, breath and enforce all the laws of the country - written and unwritten. Their own lives were ones of complete service and they were subject to a very strict code of Bushido. Until the Tokugawa shogunate ruling period, most of the Code was not written down but whether written or unwritten, it was followed - to the death.” GI throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To the true warrior, all points of view are deeply considered regarding honesty, justice and integrity. Warriors make a full commitment to their decisions.
shell is not living at all. A true warrior must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky. It is living life completely, fully, and wonderfully. Heroic courage is not blind. It is intelligent and strong. MEIYO one judge of honour and character, and this is themselves. Decisions you make and how these decisions are carried out are a reflection of who you truly are. You cannot hide from yourself. JIN Through intense training and hard work the true warriors become quick and strong. They are not as most people. They develop a power that must be used for good. They have compassion. They help their fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise, they go out of their way to find one. MAKOTO
When warriors say that they will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing will stop them from completing what they say they will do. They do not have to "give their word." They do not have to "promise." Speaking and doing are the same action. responsible for everything that they have done and everything that they have said, and all of the consequences that follow. They are immensely loyal to all of those in their care. To everyone that they are responsible for, they remain fiercely true. To find out more about Evasive Self-Defence Combat System Email: john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.uk or visit: www.esdcs.co.uk
FIT
FOR PURPOSE
MATT CHADWICK: All
martial artists are asked a couple of common questions, by non martial
arts
practitioners and prospective students, often very frequently.
“What is the
best style” is certainly amongst the most common. Some stay
within the confines of their art and convince themselves that their
style, and
how they train in it already has all the answers. Others rightly
question the
technique and gain a better understanding as a result. Personally
this question leads me to another question, “Best for
what?” Doesn’t
it depend what you want to do with
it? What your expectations are? If you
take the traditional Okinawan Karates they were designed as a fighting
style
for the bodyguards of the kings of The
result is more visible in the Kata than the basics, although you need
to look
further than some of the commonly taught application. If you know what
to look
for, you will see the “One hit, One kill”
techniques which were required at the
time. Of course
when people started popularising Karate and teaching to normal folk, it
wouldn’t have done to teach how to break bone and maim so
indiscriminately –
put simply the purpose had shifted. From
being a protection for a countries royalty, it became a way of keeping
fit and
preserving history. How has
purpose of your arts changed over the years? It’s a bit of a
gamble, but we
have to train for the most likely threat of the day – that is
unless we are
doing a sport or keeping fit, which is fine as long as we
aren’t kidding
ourselves or worse still our students that it is effective for their
self
protection needs. How does
your martial response fit with the law? How does it fit with the social
morals
of the day? Is it for sport, for looking after your self, or somewhere
in
between? All of these can be achieved with pretty much any style; the
only
difference is the emphasis and training methods. We can
only ensure that our clubs stay “match fit” if we
constantly challenge the way
we train and add or subtract the methods of training to match the needs
of the
times and the students. We are,
however fortunate in these times, that sharing information is so easy.
We can
contact high grades from around the world at the stroke of a keyboard.
Or watch
videos of the masters whom previously we might have only been lucky
enough to
see once in a lifetime – the answers are out there Each
student wants and needs something different from their art; it is up to
us as
senior grades and instructors to ensure we do what is necessary to not
let them
down, by ensuring what we teach is fit for purpose. To find out more about Evasive Self-Defence Combat System Email: john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.uk or visit: www.esdcs.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT
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LAST
MONTH'S EDITION - AUGUST - SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
WHO CARES WHO WINS JOHN BARRASS:
It’s
an
age old story within the martial arts and self defence community. What
is the
best martial art or method of self defence for the protection of one
self? There
have been endless arguments over the best and cleverest ways to inflict
pain on
a would-be attacker. We live
in an age now where the world population has boomed, we live closer
together
now than any other time in the history of the human race. Each of us
going
about our daily lives striving for that little bit of personal space.
Only the
foolish believe that we can all live in such close proximity without
any
conflict. The human race may be at the top of the food chain but our
evolutional instinct is still to protect and defend. Look back through
the history
of man and it is possible to trace a fighting style to almost every
culture
that has ever walked the planet. With the
introduction of the internet we now have an infinite amount of
information to
access for methods to defend our selves. The internet may provide the
mental knowledge
but just reading and understanding is no substitute for actual physical
self
defence training. One cannot fully understand the mental stress and
emotions
that the body experiences during the assault without proper methods of
training. When I
teach my system I tell my students not to worry about who’s
the biggest or the
best because it has no value. If you are attacked you won’t
have time to worry
about the size or the looks of the attacker. They say that knowledge is
power,
and I agree. I teach my students to fight smarter, which usually means
dirtier.
If one is in the situation where you’re being attacked
whether for your
valuables, during a drunken encounter, rape, or if someone is trying to
kill
you would you really be bothered about form, posture and looking good
whilst
defending yourself? Assaults
happen for many reasons. It could be something as simple as looking at
some one
the wrong way or a drug abuser robbing you to get cash for the next
fix. Whatever
the motive for violence one thing is for certain, you either deal with
it or
you get assaulted. The worse case scenario would be to lose your life. So just
what art possesses the best methods for combat? Are modern systems
better than
traditional arts? These are just two of many questions I have been
asked as a
self-defence instructor. I avoid these discussions like the plague
because it
ultimately leads to arguing like children and then the politics start.
My own
personal thoughts are that if it works I will use it. Techniques for
one’s own
self protection should be simple to remember and apply under pressure.
None of
the movements should be complicated and they should be effective enough
to stop
the assault. If needs be your response should be brutal depending on
the level
of assault. I do not want to be applying complicated joint locking
techniques
under pressure…especially if there are weapons involved. As
martial artist or modern system instructors we all have our own
thoughts on how
we might deal with violence. My experience with violence may be limited
compared to some well-known authors and instructors that I have been
lucky to train
with on courses and seminars. One thing I have come to understand is to
keep
the response as simple as possible. Nothing complicated should be
attempted
during a fight. Of course my opinions may not mean much to some of the
world’s
best instructors of self-defence and street combat but they work for me. I tell my
students to utilize there own personal strengths and preferred methods
of
technique application. How a person grabs another man’s
scrotum, bites, eye
gouges and elbows will be different to the next person. Of course we
have
structured syllabus and training programme. But each technique must
suit the
practitioner both for their physical and mental capabilities. What they
all
learn and must understand is that there are never ever any guarantees
when it comes
to dealing with violence. You could be the toughest guy in the world
but if a
lucky punch takes you out there is not much you can do about it. Practising
self-defence or street combat should never be about ego or who is the
best or
toughest in the club. It should be about learning how to minimize the
threats
of violence, recognizing situations where you leave yourself vulnerable
to
violence and then deal with violence effectively if you have no other
choice. So I ask
you, who cares who wins? My passion now lies in training regular every-day people in self-defence and street fighting. Getting the students to understand that training is never about who wins the fight, just get home alive. There are very few of us participating in the martial arts or self defence systems that will become MMA champions or well known instructors within the martial arts community. We can all read the books; watch the DVD’S and attend the courses but it is up to the practitioner of any system to be the best they can be. Not for pride, not for ego, not for the school or club and not for the instructor, but for themselves. Email: john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.uk or visit: www.esdcs.co.uk LAST MONTH'S EDITION - JULY - SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ![]() MODERN OR TRADITIONAL? MATT CHADWICK: I am often asked if the style I train – the Evasive Self Defence System is a modern style. You could say that it is very modern, in that it has existed in its current form for less than 5 years. Equally you might say that all the techniques it contains are thousands of years old making it an exceptionally traditional art! You could easily fit it under the banner of Karate, should you wish, or Ju Jutsu for that matter, and if you look hard enough in the Kata you will certainly find all the techniques we use. People call us modern because we do not conform; we do what works for us, individually, as we all face different challenges, due to our physicality, mentality and lifestyle. But then that's no new thing, Sensei Funakoshi didn’t like it very much when Sensei Ohtsuka started teaching new stuff, fortunately Sensei Ohtsuka followed his beliefs and we were left with Wado Ryu Karate and that was getting on for 100 years ago! I am still surprised by people within the martial arts' view on MMA and how many do not relate to it. Isn’t this the most realistic test of which parts of our arts work? Yes, there are rules as my Chief Instructor is very quick to point out and in fact illustrate for the umpteenth time when I attempt a cheeky straight arm bar or triangle choke, his response? Well, bluntly, he bites! And I let go fairly quick! Sound a bit odd? Makes sure I don’t forget the consequences when there are no rules though! But these exceptions aside, MMA is a fairly good acid test for the effectiveness of techniques – sometimes not by what is thrown, but often by what is not allowed. Techniques considered too dangerous even for the trained athletes of MMA, must be quite effective stuff! And ironically most of these techniques lurk within our traditional arts, especially in the forms and kata. Instead of sounding the death knell for traditional arts, it seems that MMA is driving standards to an all time high. Not since the heady days of the Samurai has there so many professional fighters, people paid solely to train and fight. If they expected to be fighting a number of people at once, there wouldn't be a great deal of grappling, since being taken down meant losing and possibly death, instead look for lots of "get off" techniques and striking. If the art they studied didn’t have those technique you better believe they changed it! Much like the MMA fighters today then. What would you have given for that 10 or 15 years ago when books and the odd video were largely the only options to learn outside the Dojo! The opportunities to learn are huge, whether it is the effectiveness of techniques, correct leverage for locks and submissions or how resilient the human form can be, these guys do it all on a level most of us can only dream of! email: john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.uk or visit: www.esdcs.co.uk LAST
MONTH'S EDITION - JUNE - SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
THE JAPANESE SWORD
JOHN BARRASS: The Japanese sword is the symbol of a nation and a warrior class who devoted their lives to a code of conduct and way of life. Duty,
Honour and
devotion to
one’s lord and to one’s self, its iconic
shape burned into the psyche of those who hold and gaze upon it. A
precision
instrument created by master craftsmen and artisans. It has but one
purpose –
to take life. I have
been honoured to have spent time in the company of instructors and
connoisseurs
of the blade. Race, colour and cultural differences moved aside,
knowledge and
friendships gained through a common interest for the Japanese sword.
Kashira:
This is the
metal fixture at the very base of the sword hilt. It doesn't serve
much of a practical purpose. It is mostly for decoration. Same:
This is the
ray skin (stingray skin) that covers the handle of the
sword and
lays underneath the cord wrap (tsuka ito). Ray skin is the traditional
material
used in Japanese sword making. It is probably preferred because it's
slightly
textured (for better gripping) and it's waterproof. However, imitation
ray skin
or leather is just as good and will not hinder the performance of the
sword in
any way. To find out more about Kurai Nami Kenjutsu email: john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.ukor visit: www.esdcs.co.uk LAST
MONTH'S EDITION - MAY - SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
Ki, Kai, Ten no Ichi MATT CHADWICK: A
saying
my Senior Instructor often utters, “Ki, Kai, Ten no
Ichi” “Mind, body and
spirit” – putting everything you are into your
techniques, or in fact any
endeavour. The importance of complete commitment to your action, as far
as self
protection is concerned is huge. Such a response leaves only the very
determined or deranged to continue their assault – who wants
to fight someone
who is totally committed to returning the favour! Training
the mind, committing to memory, movements and strategies of one's
chosen
system,
understanding body mechanics and action/ reactions is
not difficult to
glean over time. Repetition and mimicry of one's instructor
can
achieve this goal in due course, although this alone will leave
techniques weak
and easily broken down or stopped. Body is fairly straight forward to train by doing exercises such as push ups, sit ups, or whatever ingenious method of torture any good instructor can dream up, or even just basics and kata. The
result is the same, do it enough and you will get
stronger
and potentially faster. Sure, your Instructor needs to know what
exercises will
give good results and benefit to your martial endeavour, but that's
nothing
unusual
in these days of sports science and professional athletes. So
what
of spirit? As a Traditional stylist, I was fortunate to find my spirit
tested
and worked out in the same way as my body and mind. For me, this was
being
pushed
further than my body would gladly take me. The pinnacle of which would
be
gradings, where after basics, kata, sparring against every member of
the club,
one after the other took place. This started with the lowest grade and
progressed
so that as fatigue increased, so did the skill and strength of
opponent. When
would you stop? When you are tired? Bruised? Winded? Knocked down?
Strength and
knowledge were not relevant now, it didn’t matter how long
you lasted – there
was always too many fresh opponents. No, here Sensei was watching,
pushing
until he was sure there was nothing left physically, and then seeing
what
happened. Technique didn’t matter for this part of the test,
neither did who
hit or got hit most – you couldn’t win, survival
was the only possible positive
outcome. Some
gave
up, most who made it as far as real exhaustion made it. They had the
heart to
take them to the edge, they refused to give in, or be beaten. I
remember being
so exhausted and in fact emotional after a hard grading, that as much
as I
wanted to pass and progress to the next level, I just didn’t
give a damn, I
just wanted the test to be over. After taking everything that had been
thrown,
there was no energy left for desire! I
often
wondered what separated those who passed, and those who gave in.
Weakness? It
is
hard, I think, to truly convey the meaning of Martial Spirit. The best
adage I
have heard, is that spirit is the “pilot light”
burning inside you, which can
keep the body and mind going long after they should have failed. Your
opponent
cannot put out this little flame, no matter how hard he tries. He can
break your
body, or even your mind, but the flame of spirit can only be
extinguished by
oneself. So there are those who keep the light burning and continue,
and those
who allow the flame to dwindle and go out and fall by the wayside. But
is it
possible, as it is so often claimed, for the martial arts to develop
one's
spirit? Or do the arts merely sort those who have and those who have
not?
Perhaps, over the years the training does allow the flame to burn ever
brighter,
it seems to me that this is the true essence of any martial art,
traditional or
modern. As
human
beings we need to be stretched in order to grow. If we remain within
our
comfort zone, we stagnate and even fade away. But when we are pushed to
our
limits, and we find that it isn’t so scary, it is not so hard
to go a little
further the next time. This I think is what really allows us to grow
within all
three planes – Physical, mental and spiritual. I would like
to think that is
not those without spirit that quit the arts, but those who are to
afraid of the
stretch that is involved in growth, for many reasons no doubt. This
then,
leaves room for us all to train, every technique, every time Ki, Kai,
Ten No Ichi! To find out more about Evasive Self-Defence Combat System john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.ukor visit: www.esdcs.co.uk |
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